"Cultural Renaissance or Cultural Divide?" By: Bill Ivey and Steven J. Tepper

After reading this article, what Ivey and Tepper meant by the "Professionalization and nationalization of culture in the United States", as society created technology, it progressed and became more complex and correct. Over time as the technology become more correct, it became increasingly popular century by century. For instance The Metropolitan Opera and Museum of Fine Arts was founded in the late 19th century, by the 20th century it became increasingly popular and still continues to grow popularity to this day because of its reputation. Our everyday lives have changed tremendously. Today, our media has become highly advanced to things like on demand, which you can rent or watch a tv show at any time of the day to centuries ago not even having a tv to watch. Our advancement over the years has been so amazing that it actually has made people lazy. When Charles Leadbeater talks about "Pro-Am Revolution" i believe he is saying that people who are not professionals contribute to the community just as much as professionals have done. Those who are ordinary people have became the people who make it big, like celebrities, athletes and such. It is fair to say that amateurs are talented people who produce smart work. As a college student i can honestly say that now and days our lives are so much easier then the lives of teens my age years ago. We as students live in a time that is pretty sweet. We have our own laptops, cell phones, ipod's and etc. that back then teens wouldn't imagine of having. Trendiness in our world today is a big part of our everyday lives, many people want to have the coolest brand named clothes, the most expensive shoes. Our culture can also be pretty intense sometimes also, teens are always trying to live up to other teens, and to fit in, which can be dangerous sometimes. Popular Cultural is something i never thought i would ever get into but after thinking about this i can say that our culture is pretty amazing now and days.